Sunday, October 29, 2000

Tribute - new class of SUV

Mazda Motor Corporation will start selling the all-new Tribute, a new class of SUV. It is more powerful-and more functional-than a compact sport utility, and it is more maneuverable and more efficient than an intermediate SUV.

"Maneuverability in the city is a shortcoming of many SUVs," says Mazda President Mark Fields, "but Tribute's exceptional steering and handling-coupled with its 'command driving position' and superior visibility-will give it an edge over many competitors."

SUV with a sports car attitudeTribute boasts high body rigidity, a newly developed and carefully tuned suspension and a powerful 3.0-liter V-6 engine, resulting in an SUV with outstanding onroad handling performance. Additionally, the Rotary Blade Coupling (RBC) four-wheel-drive system with electromagnetic lock-up mechanism and a relatively high ground clearance level allows the driver to steer the vehicle with ease on bad roads and unpaved terrain.

Spacious interior and cargo space, comfortable seating, excellent visibility and easy ingress/egressThe Tribute is not an outgrowth of an existing sedan or truck model. It is a unique SUV that employs a newly developed SUV platform to optimize all the important elements.Eye-catching stylingThe Tribute combines refined lines, typical to sedans, with the rugged look that you expect in SUVs.World-class safetyTribute employs a highly-stable safety body structure, the "Mazda Advanced Impact-Energy Distribution and Absorption System." Isofix-compatible child seat anchors and top tether anchors are standard equipment.

Excellent valueWith all these features, the Tribute is priced competitively. The manufacturer's suggested retail price for the LX model equipped with the 3.0-liter V-6 engine and four-wheel-drive transmission is 2,248,000 yen; and the MSRP for the 2.0-liter four-cylinder LX model is 1,798,000 yen.

The target monthly sales figure is 1,500 units in Japan.

* In keeping with the definition of the word "tribute"-an item offered to express thanks or a compliment-the Tribute name reflects Mazda's desire to offer customers the fruits of the company's creativity and technical prowess and to help them enjoy an active lifestyle.